01-13-2024, 02:22 AM
I have been hunting for router planes for a long time, but as you may know the price of metal ones are skyrocketing, the wooden ones are not cheap either and usually lack proper setting mechanism. Some pure metal planes with beech like handles started to circulate not very long ago on eBay, but they look very odd and have very high price as well. However, before Christmas Aliexpress dropped an offer in my mailbox, with this cuteness at a bargain price of 31 USD for it. For that price, I could not let it go:
It reminded me of the little Veritas ones, so it caught my attention right away. I worried about the build, though. But after it arrived, I can say it is a surprise.
To understand why, let me describe what I had so far: very long ago I purchased a Record No. 71 with 2 cutters. It was one of my biggest tool disappointments. If you insert the cutter bits and tighten everything, the sole and cutting edge of the bit is not parallel with the sole. Either the bit is not true, or the machined square notch to receive the bit is not proper. Or both. Moreover it has an adjustable piece at the front that acts as a sole under the arch. That is not level with the sole either. Maybe the hole of the sole bit is not in right angle, or the sole bit is not true. So the whole stuff is resting on my shelf for 13 years waiting to be remachined. The only reason I did not sell it because it was only 30 USD back then and now it is too expensive.
But this little gem from Aliexpress: it is nice, feels good to the touch, nicely machined and painted, and the bit is flush. The adjuster mechanism has some kind of looseness when not fastened, I guess that thing is much tighter in a Veritas plane or a Lie Nielsen. But apart from that it is a very nice tool. It is cold now here, so still did not try it, but I tried it on a piece of wood held in my hand in the room, and it did cut even that way, too. The only weak point may be the fastener, that is a screw and its thread hole, that may get dull after a while, but who cares I take a slightly bigger screw and recut the hole. If it ever happens.
If it works long term the Record no 71 will be on auction that is sure.
It is still available at a bit higher price, but not that bad at all even for that money:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005854673387.html
You can find advanced versions as well, but those are expensive, may not make sense at that price range.
It reminded me of the little Veritas ones, so it caught my attention right away. I worried about the build, though. But after it arrived, I can say it is a surprise.
To understand why, let me describe what I had so far: very long ago I purchased a Record No. 71 with 2 cutters. It was one of my biggest tool disappointments. If you insert the cutter bits and tighten everything, the sole and cutting edge of the bit is not parallel with the sole. Either the bit is not true, or the machined square notch to receive the bit is not proper. Or both. Moreover it has an adjustable piece at the front that acts as a sole under the arch. That is not level with the sole either. Maybe the hole of the sole bit is not in right angle, or the sole bit is not true. So the whole stuff is resting on my shelf for 13 years waiting to be remachined. The only reason I did not sell it because it was only 30 USD back then and now it is too expensive.
But this little gem from Aliexpress: it is nice, feels good to the touch, nicely machined and painted, and the bit is flush. The adjuster mechanism has some kind of looseness when not fastened, I guess that thing is much tighter in a Veritas plane or a Lie Nielsen. But apart from that it is a very nice tool. It is cold now here, so still did not try it, but I tried it on a piece of wood held in my hand in the room, and it did cut even that way, too. The only weak point may be the fastener, that is a screw and its thread hole, that may get dull after a while, but who cares I take a slightly bigger screw and recut the hole. If it ever happens.
If it works long term the Record no 71 will be on auction that is sure.
It is still available at a bit higher price, but not that bad at all even for that money:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005854673387.html
You can find advanced versions as well, but those are expensive, may not make sense at that price range.
![[Image: 53515782366_0414fcebe6.jpg]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53515782366_0414fcebe6.jpg)
![[Image: 53517589580_1027b1a969.jpg]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53517589580_1027b1a969.jpg)